Member Updates
Music Biz broadcasts the latest announcements from around our community on our social feeds as our member companies continue to push the industry forward. If you are launching a new product, have been featured in an industry trade publication, or have a major announcement coming soon, we’d love to help spread the word — share it with Henryk Bik, Music Biz’s Communications & Content Manager, at henryk.bik@musicbiz.org.
NEW FOR 2024 Music Biz’s member news will be shared exclusively on our social channels, as the Member Updates section of our website is set to go offline later this year.
October 20, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Acquires Indian Live Entertainment Company E-Positive
Warner Music has acquired Indian artist management and live events company, E-Positive. The acquisition is poised to strengthen WM India’s position in the market, enabling its artists to access additional expertise in local brand partnerships & live events. E-Positive will continue to operate as a standalone company led by founder and CEO, Naushad Khan. “Naushad has done an incredible job of positioning E-Positive as a leading management company and his knowledge of brand partnerships and the live sector will be a great asset for us at Warner Music India,” said Jay Mehta,... Read More
October 19, 2023 – Music Biz Member UMPG Launches Subscription-Based Music Service For Content Creators
Universal Music Publishing Group has launched Universal Music for Creators, a new subscription-based service offering influencers and online talent pre-cleared music for their content. Starting at $5.99 a month, users of the service will gain access to a library of 50,000 songs and 200,000 sound effects. The platform also provides subscribers with the flexibility to customize songs to best fit their needs, in addition to curated playlists of different moods and occasions for faster discovery. “We’re thrilled to become the first major publisher to offer production music to content creators as a subscription service and grow the accessibility of our music catalog,” said Jane Carter,... Read More
October 19, 2023 – Music Biz Member TikTok Returns As Official Partner For Women In Music 2023 Roll Of Honour
Short-form video streaming platform, TikTok has returned as the official partner for the Roll Of Honour at this year’s Women In Music Awards. Per the partnership, TikTok and UK-based trade publication, Music Week will collaborate on special Roll Of Honour content around the event. The 2023 Women In Music Awards will take place on Friday, November 10th at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London. “We are honoured to be supporting Music Week’s Women in Music Awards for the third year in a row,” said Darina Connolly,... Read More
October 18, 2023 – Music Biz Member Sony Music Relaunches Hansa Records in Germany
Sony Music Germany has relaunched Hansa Records as a frontline label in the market to further expand Sony’s mainstream Pop segment. Per the launch, Markus Hartman, VP of Ariola and Hansa Records, and his team will work to build on Hansa’s repertoire with new artists and new music from international acts including Matt Simmons, Revelle, Joel Brandenstein, Eisbrecher, Peter Maffay, Matthias Reim, and Irish band Picture This. “Our frontline business has grown very well in recent years,” said Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba,... Read More
October 18, 2023 – Music Biz Member BandLab Technologies Appoints Drew Silverstein, Kevin Breuner & Jessica Strassman To Key Leadership Roles
Singapore-based music tech company, BandLab Technologies has appointed Kevin Breuner, Jessica Strassman and Drew Silverstein to senior leadership roles at the company. Former CD Baby executive, Kevin Breuner will serve as the Head of Artist Development & Education. In this new role, he will develop and oversee strategies to support artist growth while helping the next generation of artists navigate the complexities of the industry. Breuner will work closely with the newly appointed Head of Industry Relations &... Read More
October 17, 2023 – Music Biz Member RIAA Adds Voice Cloning Category To Notorious Markets Report
The RIAA will be adding a Voice Cloning watch to its Notorious Markets reports. As generative AI tech gains more widespread use, the RIAA’s reports will include insight on the latest unauthorized AI vocal clone services. Voicify.ai, a subscription-based service authorizing users the ability to replicate public figures and artists through AI technology, is the first platform to attract the attention of the RIAA. “An explosion of unauthorized derivative works of our members’ sound recordings harm sound recording artists and copyright owners,” the RIAA says.... Read More
October 17, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Names Carletta Higginson EVP, Chief Digital Officer
Warner Music Group has recruited Carletta Higginson as the label’s newest EVP, Chief Digital Officer. In her new role, she will oversee WMG’s global digital partnerships while exploring commercial innovation and developing new digital partnerships. Prior to joining Warner Music, Higginson served in business development and legal roles for over a decade at Google. She will report directly to WMG CEO, Robert Kyncl. “It’s rare to find someone of Carletta’s multifaceted expertise – who understands the full scope of the music publishing and recorded music businesses as well as the dynamics of streaming,... Read More
October 16, 2023 – Music Biz Member Downtown Signs Global Deal With Outer Voice Music Publishing
Independent music services company, Downtown Music Publishing has struck a global music publishing agreement with Outer Voice Music Publishing to drive exposure and promotion for South Asian songwriters. Per the deal, both companies will oversee global administration, secure sync placements and create original composition opportunities for a roster of songwriters in the South Asian region. The partnership also covers the global administration of Outer Voice’s Founder’s JAM & Philly’s singles, ”Photographs” and “Blind,” under the Outer Voice label with songwriter credits inked within the two-year term. ... Read More
October 16, 2023 – Music Biz Member Exceleration Music Strikes Partnership with New Label Down The Road
Global independent music company, Exceleration Music has struck a strategic partnership with Down The Road, a new label venture from the founders of Rounder Records. Per the partnership, label founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, Bill Nowlin and longstanding President/CEO John Virant will extend their expertise to Exceleration Music’s partners and leadership team. The new label will focus on the historic depth and breadth of Americana, including releases from Tony Trischk, Blue Highway, and Dervish. Down The Road will also reissue 14 catalog titles produced by the Rounder co-founders from recent years. ... Read More
October 13, 2023 – Music Biz Member Warner Music Finland Acquires The Fried Music, Recruits Jukka Immonen
Warner Music Finland has acquired The Fried Music, a recorded music business founded by the company’s newly appointed Head of A&R, Jukka Immonen. In his new role, Immonen will sign and nurture the next generation of Finnish artists for the label, in addition to helping The Fried Music’s roster of artists including Anna Puu, Knipi and Viivi connect to a wider international audience via Warner’s global reach. “Jukka is the best choice to lead Warner Music Finland’s A&R team into the future,” said Niko Nordström,... Read More
